Privacy vs. Productivity:
It's a Tough Choice

Updated March 8, 2001 11:59 p.m. ET

THE NEXT TIME Vice President Dick Cheney has chest pains, his most recent EKG will be available to doctors no matter where he is. If you had a heart attack while out of town, you'd be glad if an emergency room could get your records quickly with a few taps on a keyboard.

You'd be less happy, and so would Mr. Cheney, if every curious hospital employee could pull up anyone's medical records.